http://www.sundaytimes.lk Official website of the Sunday Times Newspaper in Sri Lanka Sun, 15 Dec 2019 15:06:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/red-alert-for-new-strain-of-dengue-383032.html 14 December 2019 @ 10:04 pm Sri Lanka is on red alert with up to 90,000 dengue cases being reported this year and The National Dengue Control Unit is warning that a dangerous new strain is also spreading and people should take a test even after one day of fever. Our picture shows the scene at the Puttalam Hospital where a mother is waiting in agony while her little child is being treated for dengue. Pic by Hiran Priy... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/ten-days-before-polls-ceb-took-initiative-for-huge-coal-power-plant-383030.html 14 December 2019 @ 10:03 pm The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) issued a letter of intent (LoI), just 10 days before the Presidential election, to the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) to build a 300mw extension to the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) was not informed of the LoI despite the regulator’s approval being mandatory. And an extension ... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/finance-ministry-bans-recruitment-of-minor-staff-no-jobs-for-supporters-383028.html 14 December 2019 @ 10:02 pm The Finance Ministry has banned all ministers from recruiting minor staff for their ministries and departments under them – a practice which has helped them to provide jobs for their supporters. The categories include labour, minor staff, office assistants and watchers. It has been found that the recruitment has not been controlled or in keeping with real needs. The Ministry of Finance has... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/strict-measures-to-reduce-and-control-rice-prices-383026.html 14 December 2019 @ 10:01 pm District Secretaries have been directed to give priority to releasing paddy stocks to small and medium scale millers and keep watch on large scale millers who may manipulate markets, thus preventing a reduction of rice prices. The directive was given this week at a meeting presided over by Agriculture Minister Chamal Rajapaksa with District Secretaries and Treasury officials. They discussed mea... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/dengue-cases-soar-officials-warn-of-new-strain-383023.html 14 December 2019 @ 10:00 pm Suspected dengue patients have been advised to seek treatment even after a day of fever, in view of the identification of a new strain of dengue, a senior health official said. National Dengue Control Unit's Director, Dr Anura Jayasekara told the Sunday Times that the strain which was spreading this year was different from the strain which affected Sri Lanka two years ago and therefore there we... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/easter-sunday-bombings-suspect-dies-in-welikada-prison-383020.html 14 December 2019 @ 9:59 pm A suspect who was arrested for his alleged links with Easter Sunday attack mastermind Zahran Hashim has died from an illness while in remand custody at the Welikada Prison on Friday (Dec13), Prison officials confirmed. The suspect identified as 19-year old, Zainul Abdeen Jaseel Mohammed was a resident of Kattankudy. He had been arrested along with his elder brother on May 30 by officers from th... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/marking-ven-galaboda-gnanissara-theras-birthday-382882.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:38 pm Pix by Indika Handuwala A special religious programme was held yesterday (14) to mark the 77th birthday of the Chief Sanganayake of the Colombo New Korale, Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera. As part of the commemoration events, alms were offered to 250 student monks from rural temples across the country at the Gangaramaya temple.... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/sri-lanka-japan-look-to-expedite-existing-projects-and-start-new-ones-382879.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:37 pm Japan and Sri Lanka have discussed expediting existing projects funded by the Japanese government while looking at involvement in other projects including the construction of a section of the Central expressway. [caption id="attachment_382880" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena"][/caption] Japanese d... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/cid-wants-to-further-question-swiss-embassy-staffer-382877.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:36 pm The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate that it needs to record further statements from local Swiss Embassy staffer Garnier Banister Francis as it has found no evidence to corroborate her claims that she was abducted. Reporting its investigation into the incident, the CID informed Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne that though Ms. Francis had t... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/35-navy-personnel-complete-first-us-expert-exchange-programme-382844.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:21 pm The 'Naval Special Warfare Maritime Security Course 2019' which was conducted under the Expert Exchange Programme by the United States Navy and 4th Fast Attack Flotilla and the Special Boat Squadron of Sri Lanka Navy, was concluded on Friday with a certificate awarding ceremony. [caption id="attachment_382845" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Local and foreign officers at the award cerem... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/artificial-toddy-racket-sweeps-western-southwestern-coastal-areas-382841.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:18 pm A thriving 'artificial' toddy racket continues to result in the government losing millions of rupees in tax revenue while also seriously endangering public health. By mixing a small quantity of natural coconut toddy with water, sugar, yeast, ammonia and salt, the racketeers produce a large quantity of artificial toddy. The racket is widely prevalent in the Kalutara and Puttalam districts,... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/i-know-who-my-attackers-are-says-journalist-382830.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:16 pm The provincial journalist who was brutally assaulted allegedly by a gang engaged in the artificial toddy racket says he was targetted for his reporting on the issue. [caption id="attachment_382831" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Thusitha Kumara De Silva when he was receiving treatment at the Kalutara Hospital and below his wife"][/caption] The attackers first struck the home of jour... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/rain-damage-likely-to-make-veggies-rice-costlier-382823.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:13 pm Farmers and agricultural officials warn that prices of rice and vegetables may rise further if the heavy downpours continue. [caption id="attachment_382826" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Dambulla: Paddy field more like a river. Pic by Jayaratne Wickramaarachchi"][/caption] Namal Karunaratne, the president of All Island Farmers Association said the flood has caused crop losses and d... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/nuwara-eliya-drenched-in-rain-382816.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:11 pm [caption id="attachment_382820" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Muddy mess: The main bus terminal"][/caption] Heavy rains in the hill country have affected many people. Areas of Nuwara Eliya are inundated in rain water and water logged areas are visible. The main bus terminal is full of water logged potholes. Residents are hoping that authorities will assess the situation and redo ... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/illegal-sandminers-rampant-in-north-after-licences-scrapped-382806.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:07 pm Illegal sandmining has rapidly increased in the north on state and private land following the new government’s decision to suspend the licence system for sand transport, prompting a violent reaction from frustrated locals and a warning of public protests. In all the five districts of the north, illegal sandmining is being carried out in broad daylight as well as at night, with local aut... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/10-killed-16-injured-in-road-accidents-last-week-382799.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:05 pm At least 10 people were killed and 16 injured in a string of accidents reported this week in different parts of the country, Police said. [caption id="attachment_382800" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Accident at Saliyawewa. Pic by Jayarathna Wickramarachchi"][/caption] In the latest incident, three motorcycle riders were injured when their motorcycles collided along the Batticaloa,... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/domestic-purchases-to-help-ease-pharma-deficit-382797.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:01 pm Hospitals have been instructed to buy pharmaceuticals locally to overcome the islandwide shortage, an official of the Ministry of Health (MoH) said. Rs.1 billion has been allocated by the Treasury for this month to buy drugs needed at the Apeksha Hospital (Maharagama Cancer Hospital). “We are hoping to import the essential drugs in about two weeks,” he said. Available supplies w... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/dont-suffer-in-silence-382787.html 14 December 2019 @ 7:58 pm They have played a major role in society as wives, mothers and grandmothers. With Sri Lanka having to grapple with a rapidly-ageing population, there are serious concerns that older women may fall through the system. [caption id="attachment_382788" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Consultant Gynaecological Oncosurgeon Dr. Samanthi Premaratne giving a demonstration at the colposcopy t... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/certified-top-tour-guides-squeezed-out-of-jobs-382782.html 14 December 2019 @ 7:54 pm Licensed tourist guides say they are being driven out of work because tour operators are hiring unregistered guides, in one case a foreign national found spouting nonsense about a treasured piece of Sri Lankan history. [caption id="attachment_382783" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Against the law: A foreign national acting as a tour guide at the historic Dambulla site"][/caption] ... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/civil-defence-troops-bolster-elephant-project-382902.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:49 pm The government has commenced deploying large numbers of Civil Defence Force officials to work with wildlife department officers on maintaining electrified anti-elephant fences erected around villages. The Minister of Environment and Wildlife Resources, S. M. Chandrasena, said the government had also begun to restore six tanks in Lunugamwehera to generate better water and food supplies for... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/dispute-over-fund-for-cancer-hospital-equipment-continues-382899.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:48 pm The two parties at the centre of a bitter dispute over a fund set up to buy equipment for the Maharagama Apeksha Cancer Hospital, continue to point fingers at each other. [caption id="attachment_382900" align="alignright" width="400" caption="M.S.M. Mohamed addressing a news conference on Friday"][/caption] Apeksha Hospital Director Dr Wasantha Dissanayake claimed the fund that was set up to... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/matale-boy-scouts-celebrate-international-mountain-day-with-jamboree-382895.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:47 pm International Mountain Day was celebrated in Panvila, Matale on December 11 (Wednesday). This day is commemorated to spread awareness on the usefulness of hills and mountains.  The protection of the environment and jungle sanctuaries near mountains have been emphasised in programmes by UN agencies. The boy scouts of Matale organised a jamboree to celebrate International Mountain Day, and th... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/you-better-watch-out-antarctic-seal-in-town-382887.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:45 pm It seems the giant elephant seal from the Antarctic might be here for Christmas, continuing to attract crowds and cause traffic jams in Colombo. The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) that was first spotted on November 20 off Unawatuna has been resting on rocks off Wellawatte and Kollupitiya in Colombo, creating traffic congestion along the Marine Drive as curious crowds gather to ... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/tourism-is-making-a-come-back-382861.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:28 pm The tourist trade which hit rock-bottom in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings, is limping back to normalcy. The travel warnings against visiting Sri Lanka have been withdrawn. [caption id="attachment_382863" align="alignright" width="133" caption="Story and pix by Ishanka Sunimal"][/caption] And, the tourists are returning as our photographs reveal. With tourism bringing in ... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/looming-cattle-crisis-in-puttalam-foot-and-mouth-disease-spreads-382851.html 14 December 2019 @ 8:24 pm [caption id="attachment_382857" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Officials warned that the cattle may die of this disease if they were not treated early"][/caption] Cattle in the North Western Province have been hit by the fast-spreading foot and mouth disease posing a threat to the dairy industry. The North Western Province, Animal husbandry Additional Director Dr B.C.S Perea said t... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/pick-of-the-pix-8-382769.html 14 December 2019 @ 7:45 pm Pix by Nilan Maligaspe M.A.Pushpa Kumara and Ishanka Sunimal [caption id="attachment_382770" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Fort: Post exam frolics"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_382771" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Galle Face: Umbrella privacy gone with the wind"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_382772" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Kochchikade: Be... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/worsening-sea-erosion-on-kalpitiya-beach-could-hit-tourism-382761.html 14 December 2019 @ 7:39 pm A scenic stretch of the Kalpitiya beach-- about two km long and 70m wide- lined with cyprus trees, is being destroyed by sea erosion.   According to Kalpitiya Tourist Development Society president Kirthi Nixon the erosion is affecting about 15 tourist resorts. The worst affected is the Iththadiya beach. He said already a 50 m beach stretch has been completely destroyed and submerge... http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191215/news/annular-solar-eclipse-visible-in-the-morning-sky-of-northern-sri-lanka-382759.html 14 December 2019 @ 7:34 pm An annular solar eclipse forming a ring of light around the darkened moon will be visible in the Northern part of Sri Lanka on December 26. Well-known astronomer Anura C. Perera says the eclipse will be visible in Jaffna and is expected to move in a northerly direction. But those who live in the southern parts of Sri Lanka need not be disheartened. People in areas south of Kilinochchi and An...